From July 3 to 16, 2026, a group of 30 students, accompanied by three chaperones from the “Marie Curie” Vocational High School of Chemical Technologies and Biotechnology – Razgrad, successfully completed an Erasmus+ mobility program under Project No. 2025-1-BG01-KA121-VET-000312688, held in Maribor, Slovenia. The training was hosted by the International Institute for the Implementation of Sustainable Development (MIITR) – a long-standing partner with extensive experience in organizing international educational mobility programs.
Students from the “Laboratory Assistant”, “Chemical Technologist” and “Biotechnologist” underwent training in a real-world work environment, which gave them the opportunity to apply the knowledge they had acquired in school, familiarize themselves with modern technologies and best European practices, and improve their professional, language, and social skills.
The mobility program kicked off with an official meeting at the MIITR office, where participants learned about the organization’s activities, the Slovenian education system, and opportunities for international cooperation. The subsequent tour of Maribor gave participants the opportunity to experience the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage, including a visit to the famous Stara trta – the oldest grapevine in the world – as well as the Wine Museum.
The program included a variety of educational visits that enhanced the participants’ professional training. At the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Maribor, the trainees attended a lecture on microbiology, toured state-of-the-art laboratories, and learned about scientific research related to environmental technologies, heavy metal extraction, and environmental protection. At the Botanical Garden in Pivola, they observed the rich plant diversity and learned more about rare tree and plant species, reinforcing the connection between science, nature, and sustainable development.
The students gained particularly valuable professional experience during their visit to the Maribor wastewater treatment plant. Together with leading experts, they followed the entire technological process of treating domestic and industrial wastewater – from the mechanical to the biological stage. The future biotechnologists, chemists, and laboratory technicians had the opportunity to connect their theoretical knowledge with real-world production processes and to learn about the role of microorganisms and modern technologies in water treatment.
An interesting highlight of the cultural program was the visit to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. The students toured the Ethnographic Museum, visited the Parliament building, and learned about the country’s history, architecture, and cultural heritage. This encounter with a different culture and European institutions contributed to the development of their civic culture and intercultural competence.
An unforgettable experience for all participants was the visit to the “Teta Frida” Chocolate Center, where they learned more about chocolate production, participated in tastings, and created their own chocolate in a special creative workshop. This hands-on activity demonstrated in an engaging way the connection between food technology, chemical processes, and entrepreneurship.
Among the most impressive visits was the supercomputing center in Maribor. The high-tech solutions presented and the potential applications of supercomputing systems in science, engineering, medicine, and climate research showed the students just how closely science, technology, and innovation are intertwined in the modern world.
At the end of the mobility program, all students at the school received certificates of successful completion. The two weeks in Maribor proved to be a valuable professional and personal experience for all participants. Working in an international environment, meeting with experts, visiting universities, research facilities, and industrial sites, as well as participating in the cultural program, all contributed to expanding their knowledge, developing their professional competencies, and increasing their motivation for future career success.
*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.